Stucco Inspection & Stucco Testing in Philadelphia
Why is stucco inspection and stucco testing in Philadelphia so important? Homes in Philadelphia have stucco and veneer stone installed. Due to weather conditions, and building practices, many of these homes have hidden leaks. If you live in a stucco home or are considering buying one, the stucco inspection will be the most important inspection you get. What’s Involved in a Stucco Inspection?
Most general contractors who are applying stucco will use the sub contractor with the lowest bid. Many times these low bidders will skip simple steps in the application process as a way to save money. For instance, drainage mat can significantly improve the performance of a stucco system. This material works by forcing a gap between the rear of the stucco application and the water resistant barrier. With this gap, water is unable to be trapped behind the stucco.
What if the home was already remediated (stucco fixed?)
In homes where the stucco has been remediated ofter steps are skipped as well. One of the most common cost cutting approaches is to skip window sill pan flashing. This flashing crates a barrier between the rough window opening and the exterior of the drainage plane. When this is installed, seepage around windows is eliminated. Even with older windows that have exceeded their useful life, the pan flashing protects the structure. 
What if I purchased a home without a stucco inspection in Philadelphia? If this is the case, you should have the stucco inspected right away. What most people refer to as stucco problems, actually have nothing to do with the stucco. They are problems with the waterproofing behind the stucco that leaks. The problems are invisible until they show up on the drywall. Once the problem has progressed to this level there is often significant structural damage requiring significant rebuilding of the framing and sheathing. These kinds of problems are always cheaper early.
What is stucco inspection?
The stucco inspection and testing in Philadelphia is a series of measurements that identify if there is leaking to the wood parts of the structure. At Stucco Safe we use a 3 phase process which identifies areas of concern. We also perform in depth measurements to avoid false positives common among some of our competitors.
So, if you have a stucco home, give us a call today. We’d be happy to discuss with you whether your home might be a good candidate for a stucco inspection with stucco testing.